Free PowerofLearning by Viola Grace Page A

wearing a halter and briefs with light shielding on her forearms and calves. It had surprised her when one of the visiting students explained that the dress code on Tebr was a little spare in comparison to other planets. Hosh had been on the planet long enough to adopt the male dress of eighteen inches of sarong, and he seemed fairly comfortable with it.
    The people of Tebr were photosensitive. Their bodies functioned best when sun was able to touch as much as possible. Complete nudity used to be the norm, but with the introduction of new species to the world, concessions had been made.
    As they walked out of the lecture hall, the heavy jungle pressed in on them. The walkways were cleared every morning, but by afternoon, the trees regained some footing.
    The café had a force field that kept the encroaching greenery at bay.
    Yavil asked, “So, how are you enjoying Tebr?”
    She selected a table with four chairs and took a seat, beckoning for a server before ordering a large pot of tea.
    He shifted, almost invisible against the dark green of the jungle behind him. “I am adapting to the heat and enjoying your lectures. I have never been able to retain this much information before.”
    Yavil opened her mouth to comment, but her siblings arrived and she had to make introductions. Her brother stood politely, and she introduced him. “Ardu, Yellan, this is Hosh Ender. Hosh, this is my brother and sister.”
    She accepted the pot as the server brought it and poured four cups of hot tea for the group.
    Hosh stood and bowed politely to the newcomers. “I am very pleased to meet Instructor Rikhana’s family.”
    She laughed. “When I am not wearing the robes, you can call me Yavil.”
    Hosh looked at them as a group, and she could see him forming the question.
    Ardu and Yellan were the same powder blue as the rest of the Tebr, but for some reason, Yavil had come out in the chalk white of their ancestors. They were the only triplets in their generation.
    Everyone asked the question that she could see in Hosh’s eyes. “Yes, they really are my siblings.”
    Ardu grinned and sipped his tea. “She is one of the unseen. Our parents didn’t know she was there until our mother went into contractions for a third time. She does not show up on any scan you can name. If you don’t see her in person, you would never believe she was there.”
    Yellan smiled and flicked her hair over her shoulder. “It always confounds her students when they try to record her lectures and find out that their devices are blank.”
    Yavil sipped at her tea and smiled as the server slid a platter of sandwiches and treats in front of them.
    Hosh asked her, “Do you process light the same way that the other Tebr do?”
    Ardu answered for her. “She does everything a Tebr should, she’s just the wrong colour.”
    Yavil kicked him under the table. “He asked me.”
    She turned to Hosh. “Yes, but I don’t need as much light as they do. My skin absorbs what it needs much more rapidly.”
    Yellan smiled and toyed with her long blonde hair. “So, Hosh, what brings you to our little tea party?”
    Hosh sat up straight. “Yavil, I have come to offer you a position in the Citadel Morganti. We need an educator who can deliver large-scale seminars and have each person come out with understanding of the topic. I have been to enough of your courses to realize that you are precisely what we need.”
    “I am very flattered but—”
    “Not so fast, Yavi.” Ardu cocked his head. “What are you offering her for her services?”
    Hosh blinked, “As a Citadel instructor, Yavil will have access to the entire Alliance archive. She will get her room and board as well as a hefty stipend. Travelling the stars is also an option since her skill does not translate to recording.”
    Yellan leaned forward and propped her chin on her hand. “What else will our sister receive?”
    Hosh was serious, and he didn’t seem to see the way Yellan was batting her lashes and